Crutch extension for artificial legs



0.;5. FREAR. CRUTCH E'XTEN-SWN FOR ARTIFICIAL'LEGS. APPL!CATION FIL ED MAR. 26. I919.

Patented Sept. 2,1919:

CLARK E. FREAR, OF LAKE WIN OLA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CRUTCH EXTENSION FORARTIFICIAL LEGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed March 26, 1919. Serial No. 285,167.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARK E. FREAK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lake \Vinola, in the county of \Vyoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (rutch Extensions for Artificial Legs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to artificial legs, and is especially adapted and intended for the use of persons having thigh amputations, and it comprises an improved crutch extension to be used in connection with an artificial leg for the purpose of supporting the weight of the body, in part at least, at the shoulder. The device has various other advantages, amon which the following may be mentioned. Tt suppports the weight of the body when a step is taken and does not allow the stump to sink down hard into the socket of the leg. Italso controls the position of the leg to a certain extent, and keeps the artificial foot pointing directly ahead and does not allow it to wa'bble to the right or left in walking, and the, shoulder and arm controls the action of the foot which can be turned in or out by them similar to the natural foot. The extension is attached. by straps which pass over the shoulder and under the otherarm, the strap connections being adjustable so that the artificial leg will be held tightly against the stump.

Another principal feature of the invention is a double joint or intermediate section between the upper and lower'sections of the extension, which permits the person to sit down in comfort. Theupper one of these joints can be made rigid by a sliding sleeve or ferrule, which can be slid up or down over the joint when the lGg iS being used in walking and which when slid up beyond the joint permits the same to flex, allowing the upper section of the extension to sag down from under the arm. lVhen the person stands up, the sleeve is slid down over the joint, accommodating the walking movement. The double jointed extension permits a motion corresponding to the motions of a natural thigh joint in sitting down, and prevents an uncomfortable elevated position of the upper part of the extension which would follow from a single joint. The extension is fastened to the artificial log by means permitting it to be raised or lowered, or readily detached.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a side elevation showing the device in standing position. Fig. 2 is a similar view in sitting position. Fig. 3 is a partial front view.

Referring specifically to the drawings, (5 indicates an artificial leg of ordinary or suitable construction for thigh amputations. The extension invented by me comprises a lower section 7, an upper section 8, and a short intermediate section 9.' The lower section 7 is fastened to the outer side of the thigh member of the artificial leg by means of two or more straps 1O fixed to the leg and set screws 11 which are tapped through the straps and clamp the section in any position. By releasing the screws the section can be adjusted up or down to the proper position.

The upper section 8 has conveniently the form of the top of a crutch, with an arm rest 12 fitting under the arm-pit. This section is secured to the body by means of straps 13 which are crossed over the adjacent shoulder and extend thence around the body and under the arm on the opposite side. The straps may be adjusted by a buckle 14, to supportthe extension in proper and comfortable position.

The intermediate section 9 is pivoted at 15 to the section 7, and at its opposite end at 16, to section 8, the joints being conveniently halved and lapped. A sleeve or ferrule 17 is slidable up and down on the upper section 8, to either cover or uncover the joint 16. When the joint is covered. as in standing, the sections 8 and 9 are rigidly connected, the sole movement being at the joint 15. lVhen the person sits down he slides the sleeve 17 upwardly to uncover the joint at 16, and this permits the 'oint to break or flex backwardly as shown in Fig. 2, thereby permitting the upper section 8 to sag downwardly to an extent sufficient to relieve the arm-pit from the pressure of the rest there-.

under, and making the sitting position of the wearer quite comfortable, and accommodating any forward or backward swing of the body in an entirely natural manner. When the person rises to standing position the sleeve is again slipped down over the up per joint, the lower joint 15 being sufficient to accommodate the movement of the leg in walking. The sleeve 17 may be grasped under the clothes and operated without noticeable manipulations, and it may also be grasped by the hand when the person is standing or walking, to assist in the control of the leg, although the movement of the shoulder and upper arm may quite completely control the proper position and swin of the leg.

1. The combination with an artificial leg, of a crutch extension comprising a lower section fastened to the leg, an upper section provided with an arm rest, a short intermediate section pivoted to said sections, and a sleeve slidable over the joint between the upper and intermediate sections.

2. The combination with an artificial leg,

of a crutch extension consisting of sectionswith a plurality of joints there-between, and

means to prevent the fiexion, when desired, of all except one of said joints.

3. A crutch extension for an artificial leg, comprising a lower section adapted for attachment to the leg, an upper section having an arm rest, an intermediate section pivoted at its opposite ends to the upper and lower sections respectively, and means to make rigid the joint between the upper and intermediate sections when desired.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CLARK E. FREAK.

Witnesses: a

' O'r'ro STURM,

' JAMES PROTHECOE. 

